Ekiti State Tree Growers Association, Saw Millers and other stakeholders in the timber and wood industry have been charged to redouble efforts at planting trees to develop more forests and forestall deforestation and desert encroachment in the state.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, Prof. Adio Afolayan gave the charge while playing host to the Association of Tree growers, Ekiti State Chapter in his office in Ado-Ekiti.
The Commissioner who is also the Vice-Chairman of the Association assured them of the State Government’s support and readiness to accommodate genuine investors in tree processing in order to add value to their produce and also boost the internally generated revenue base of the state.
He pleaded for the support of the present Administration in order to deliver the dividend of democracy to all and sundry.
In his own remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Ayoola Owolabi disclosed that one of the discussions at the retreat organized for Permanent Secretaries and top government functionaries recently in the State was centered on how to improve agriculture sector to boost the state economy.
Mr. Ayoola Owolabi reassured the association of the government support, more so that they are operating in one the sectors that formed the four developmental agenda of the Governor Kayode Fayemi-led administration.
Earlier, a member of the Association, Mr. Olubunmi Olatilu who spoke on behalf of others congratulated the Commissioner on his appointment and thanked Governor Kayode Fayemi for appointing one of them as a member of his cabinet.
He highlighted some of the challenges of the association to include unavailability of tree seedlings, bad road network to their tree plantations and members’ financial constraints to expand their business among others, pleaded government’s assistance in tackling them.
Olatilu who noted that there are about three million stands of trees across Ekiti State as at then solicited government patronage, support and partnership, especially in getting machinery which could be used to process their wood to meet the international standard.
Packaged by Emmanuel Adeniran
